Paul Heaton formed The Housemartins in the early 1980s. The Housemartins released a number of singles and two studio albums, London 0 Hull 4 and The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death. Their most famous hit was an a-capella version of the Isley Brothers' Caravan of Love, which was a Christmas number one in the UK.
In 1988, Paul Heaton formed The Beautiful South from the ashes of The Housemartins. The Beautiful South released two top ten singles, Song for Whoever and You Keep It All In, which featured Irish singer Briana Corrigan on vocals. In 1989, the band released an album "Welcome to the Beautiful South" by which time Corrigan had joined the band as a full time member. The band's biggest success to date is the release of the single "A Little Time" in 1991. It reached number 1 on the charts. In 1993 the band released their third album, "0898 Beautiful South".
In 1994, Briana Corrigan left the band and a new female vocalist, Jacqui Abbott, was brought in. During the recording of the band's fourth album "Miaow", Heaton was increasingly irritated with the band and at one time told them to get their act together or he would leave. "Miaow" is some of Heaton's most depressing songwriting (only their fifth studio album, "Blue Is The Colour", is considered sadder). Heaton was going through a break-up with his girlfriend and other problems at the time. After the release of Miaow's third single, "Prettiest Eyes", the record company was worried about the band's sales, so they proposed a greatest hits release to save the band. Heaton hated the idea as he was trying to keep the band as far away from mainstream as possible, but nevertheless, "Carry on up the Charts" was released in December 1994 and it sold overwhelmingly, going platinum and becoming one of the biggest selling albums of all time in the UK.
The band returned to form a number one album, "Blue Is the Colour". Their sixth album, "Quench", also hit the top spot. In 2000, after the release of "Painting It Red", Jacqui Abbott left the band to care for her son. A second compilation album, "Solid Bronze", was released and two more studio albums with a new female vocalist, Alison Wheeler. The first, Gaze, became the first Beautiful South album to fail to reach the top 10, and the band were then dropped by Mercury Records.
The following year (2004), newly signed to Sony, they released the curiously named covers album Goldiggas, Headnodders and Pholk Songs, an eclectic album that featured the Beautiful South's unique take on a wide variety of tracks by the like of ELO, Blue Öyster Cult, John Travolta and Olivia Newton-John, S Club 7, and Rufus Wainwright. Again, despite considerable publicity and promotional TV appearances, the album failed to make the top 10.
2006 saw the release of yet another album of new material, "Superbi." Reviews were generally positive. "Superbi" has more of an alt-country sound (plenty of slide guitar, for example) than previous Beautiful South releases. The album maintains the band's trademark eccentricity, however, featuring a dobro on one song.
On the ITV documentary music series Faith & Music screened 29th October 2006, Paul talks openly and honestly about his atheism and his battle with alcoholism.
Heaton is the father of two daughters, although he has never married.
www.paulheatonmusic.co.uk
The Austerity Of Love
Paul Heaton Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
And he's waiting at the door
For me
Making things secure
For me
When I return
Got my needs, got my love
And it fits me like a glove
And it's dripping from above
Like the candle it burns
Old brown bear and honey bee
Pass me by and wink at me
Realize that what I got
Is too much for one honey pot
Sugar is the centre
Of the honeycomb
Sweeter still the heart
That actually owns my own
Got my schmaltz, got my cheese
Got me down on my knees
Got me begging you please
The obesity of love
The propensity of love
The depravity of love
The austerity of love
Got my saccharin, my sweet
And it's next to me on seat
And everything I eat seems to
Taste so damn sour
Got my praise, got my prayer
And it's getting everywhere
Like your god isn't there for me
Just this higher power
Old march hare and kangaroo
Tip their hats and 'how d'you do?'
Recognize it in my stride
Love is skipping by my side
Sugar is the centre
Of the honeycomb
Sweeter still the heart
That actually owns my own
Got my schmaltz
Got my cheese
Got me down on my knees
Got me begging you please
The obesity of love
The propensity
The depravity of love
The austerity of love
Pitcher plant and Venus trap
Give me five and slap my back
They can tell just from my smile
I'll be staying for a while
Sugar is the centre
Of the honeycomb
Sweeter still the heart
That actually owns my own
Got my schmaltz
Got my cheese
Got me down on my knees
Got me begging you please
The obesity of love
The propensity
The depravity of love
The austerity of love
In Paul Heaton's song "The Austerity Of Love," the singer appears to be in a happy relationship. He lists the things he has, including his vow, cor (a type of headdress), love, schmaltz (chicken fat), and cheese. He also mentions animals, such as an old brown bear and honey bee, and how they pass him by and seem to recognize the love he has. He speaks of love being the center of everything, like the honeycomb, and how it's sweeter than anything else. However, in the chorus, he mentions the obesity, propensity, depravity, and austerity of love, which suggests that despite how sweet and wonderful love can be, there are downsides and challenges to it as well.
The second verse mentions other animals, like an old march hare and kangaroo, who tip their hats and greet the singer. He speaks of having his saccharin (artificial sweetener) next to him and how everything tastes sour. He also mentions having his praise and prayer spread everywhere, as if the higher power is watching him. The chorus repeats with the same themes.
Overall, the song seems to suggest that love can be both wonderful and difficult, as it can make you feel happy and loved, but it can also be fraught with challenges and downsides. The singer appears to have a positive outlook on love, but he's also aware of the difficulties that come along with it.
Line by Line Meaning
Got my vow, got my cor
I have made a commitment to someone and I have the support system around me to help me through it.
And he's waiting at the door
My partner is eagerly waiting for me to come home and be with them.
For me
Everything I have is for my partner and our relationship.
Making things secure
Together, we are creating a stable and dependable life for ourselves.
Got my needs, got my love
I have everything I require in life including the affection of my partner.
And it fits me like a glove
Our love is the perfect match for both of us.
And it's dripping from above
Our love seems to rain down on us like a divine gift.
Like the candle it burns
Our love is bright and consistent like the flame of a candle.
Old brown bear and honey bee
The animals around me seem to recognize the joy and contentment that love brings.
Pass me by and wink at me
These animals almost seem to be acknowledging my love and cheering me on.
Realize that what I got
I am aware of how lucky I am to have found such a strong love.
Is too much for one honey pot
Our love is too great and too powerful for just one person to contain it all.
Sugar is the centre
The sweetness of love is at the core of everything.
Of the honeycomb
Just as sugar is at the center of the honeycomb, love is at the center of our lives.
Sweeter still the heart
The love that we share is even more sweet and fulfilling than the sugar in the honeycomb.
That actually owns my own
I feel as though my heart has been claimed by my partner and the love that they bring into my life.
Got my schmaltz, got my cheese
I have all of the gushy romanticism and cheesy love that one could desire.
Got me down on my knees
The strength and intensity of my love often leaves me feeling humbled and grateful.
Got me begging you please
I often find myself pleading with my partner to never let this love end.
The obesity of love
The overwhelming depth of love that we share can feel almost too much to bear at times.
The propensity of love
This love has an innate tendency to grow and thrive within our hearts.
The depravity of love
Love, in its absence, can bring about great sadness and despair.
Pitcher plant and Venus trap
Even the plants seem to sense the happiness and completeness of our love.
Give me five and slap my back
These plants seem to offer congratulations and encouragement for our relationship.
They can tell just from my smile
My joy cannot be contained or hidden; it is easily seen by those around me.
I'll be staying for a while
I intend to remain invested in this relationship for the long haul.
Contributed by Kaylee O. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
@nl1559
Sorry but this is officially a Beautiful South 1997 golden era song. It's so damn good.
@Morganautumnmoore
Such a great, great song. Love Paul & Jacqui!
@DAW1968
Absolutely love it!
@KevSmith81
another classic song!
@gerardpmulhern5308
cracking tune as per usual.
@RonDuligi
I've really liked this song. It gets plenty of airplay and it is very catchy. Well done to Paul, Jacqui, and the band!
@nickstickney5108
Excellent song! Catchy.
@CrookerSpark
And is this why I never hear it on radio 2 anymore? 😁
I like it!!! 😜
@CrookerSpark
I mean I like the song and it should be played more! 😊
@tammas2000
Lol, seeing them in Kilmarnock, Scotland on Friday night - wish I could get the lyrics! Superb Paul, as usual and Jackie, what a chanter! xx